Thursday, December 8, 2011

Apparently, "Virasat-e-Khalsa” (also known as Khalsa Heritage Memorial Complex) is a museum located in Anandpur Sahib - Punjab (India). The museum gives an insight to the events that took place in the province of Punjab five hundred years ago which gave birth to Sikhism and finally the Khalsa Panth. The museum will throw light on the vision of the Gurus, the eternal message of peace and brotherhood which they delivered to the whole mankind and the rich culture and heritage of Punjab. The museum is intended to commemorate 500 years of Sikh history and the 300th anniversary of the Khalsa, the scriptures written by the 10th and last Guru of Sikhism, Gobind Singh, founder of modern Sikhism.

Also, the grand museum covers the Sikh history right from Guru Nanak era to Guru Gobind Singh’s Khalsa Raj, depicting the unparalleled sacrifices of Sikhs for unity and integrity of the country. BJP national president Nitin Gadkari, religious heads of various sections, representatives of all castes and people from various countries attended the inauguration of the monument, which was described as a new symbol of humanity depicting universal brotherhood and love.

In addition, it is declared as the 8th wonder of the world by the Punjab Chief Minister “Parkash Singh Badal” and it has opened for public on November 27, 2011 after thirteen years of construction. The building has cost over Rs. 3,500,000,000 and has survived multiple controversies. The complex contains a 400-seat auditorium, double storied library, galleries to put up exhibitions, a walk-through ramp, a series of water bodies -- conceptualized by US-based Israeli architect Moshe Safdie and spread over 100 acres at the foot hills of Shivalik ranges.

Furthermore, the buildings are constructed of poured-in-place concrete; some beams and columns remain exposed, though a great deal of the structures will be clad in a local honey-colored stone. The rooftops are stainless steel-clad and exhibit a double curvature: they gather and reflect the sky while a series of dams in the ravine create pools that reflect the entire complex at night.